National Postdoc Appreciation Week
National Postdoc Appreciation Week at UF is its celebratory “thank you” to all its postdocs.
NPAW 2026: National Postdoc Appreciation Week at UF!
Sunday, September 20 through Thursday, September 24, 2026
Every September the University of Florida celebrates National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) in tandem with the National Postdoctoral Association to applaud the time, talent, and toil that its postdocs put forth every day to advance and expand UF’s global standing as a research powerhouse.
Join the UF Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the UF Postdoctoral Association for fun, festivity, and fellowship in this year’s activities, listed on this webpage. Click on the links to register or RSVP — it’ll help us to know how much company to expect and plan ahead!
Sunday · September 20, 2026
UF Postdocs Paint the Wall! · 4 to 7 p.m.
- Bring your family and join in painting the 34th Street Graffiti Wall with a mural highlighting UF postdocs. No artistic skill needed!
- Meet at Domino’s at 133 SW 34th Street in Gainesville (near Publix in the Westgate Regency Shopping Center).
- In case of bad weather, we’ll reschedule this event to another day in the future.
- Click here to RSVP
- Map and directions
Monday · September 21, 2026
Kickoff Breakfast · 9 to 10:30 a.m.
- Enjoy a catered breakfast while networking with fellow postdoc Gators.
- Meet at the Grinter Hall breezeway on the UF campus.
- Click here to RSVP
- Map and directions
Library Resources and Services for UF Postdocs · 12 noon to 1 p.m.
- Enjoy a sweet treat and a presentation by UF Libraries.
- Meet at the Biomedical Information Teaching Space (BITS@HSCL) — C1-121 in the Health Science Center Libraries on the UF campus.
- Click here to register
- Map and directions
Tuesday · September 22, 2026
Beyond the Lab: UF Innovate Lunch and Presentation for UF Postdocs · 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Enjoy a catered lunch while learning about entrepreneurship and careers beyond academia.
- Meet in Room 2330 in the Reitz Union on the UF campus.
- Click here to register
- Map and directions
Virtual Game Night · 7 to 9 p.m.
- Connect with fellow postdocs across the RECs.
- Meet online via Zoom.
- Click here to join in
Wednesday · September 23, 2026
LinkedIn: Strategies for UF Postdocs · 12 noon to 1 p.m.
- Learn how to build your professional brand on LinkedIn.
- Meet online via Zoom.
- Click here to register and join in
Nature Walk at Sweetwater Wetlands Park · 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Bring your family and enjoy an evening of having a look at Florida wildlife.
- Meet in the parking lot of Sweetwater Wetlands Park at 325 SW Williston Road in Gainesville.
- In case of bad weather, we’ll reschedule this event to another day in the future.
- Click here to RSVP
- Map and directions
Thursday · September 24, 2026
Understanding UF Postdoc Benefits · 12 noon to 1 p.m.
- Learn about UF postdoc benefits from UF Human Resources.
- Meet online via Zoom.
- Click here to join in
Happy Hour Social · 6:30 to 9 p.m.
- Bring your family and socialize with fellow postdoc Gators over pizza, desserts, and drinks.
- Meet at First Magnitude Brewing Company at 1220 SE Veitch Street in Gainesville.
- Click here to RSVP
- Map and directions
Have questions? Get answers!
Email or book an appointment with Dr. Valli Sarveswaran,
Director of the UF Office of Postdoctoral Affairs